He also is a devout Christian, and uses Oren's Monastery as a kind of ministry outlet. In fact, this comic has given rise to the online church known as the Christian Furry Fellowship. Oren is the former pastor. Oren also runs the Shoutcast radio station OtterTunes.

As a character, Oren plays two roles. In Otter Island, Oren is an otter who has been transformed into a human by an evil tree-spirit and led to believe that he has always been human. As his memory slowly filters back, Oren dreams of his life as an otter and creates a comic strip in which he is one. After three years, Oren is returned to the Island and his original body.